A recent study conducted by the analytical platform CoinGecko has revealed a significant difference in performance between blockchains that support the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and networks that use alternative solutions. According to the data obtained, non-EVM blockchains process transactions nearly four times faster on average than their EVM-compatible counterparts.
Solana and Sui Lead Among Non-EVM Blockchains
The undisputed leader in transaction speed is the Solana network, capable of processing up to 3,000 transactions per second (TPS). On April 6, 2023, amid a surge in activity related to meme coins, the average daily TPS on the Solana network reached a record high of 1,504. An impressive result, however, it represents only 1.6% of the theoretical maximum of 65,000 TPS, as highlighted by CoinGecko analysts.
The second place in the ranking was taken by another non-EVM network, Sui, which demonstrated a peak speed of 854 TPS in July 2023.
Other Non-EVM Blockchains: From TON to Bitcoin
In addition to Solana and Sui, the list of relatively fast non-EVM blockchains includes TON (175 TPS) and Near Protocol (118 TPS). Lower results were shown by Aptos (49 TPS), Starknet (12 TPS), Bitcoin (11 TPS), and Thorchain (2 TPS).
BNB Chain and Polygon — The Fastest Among EVM Blockchains
As for EVM-compatible networks, BNB Chain and Polygon hold the top positions with 378 TPS and 190 TPS, respectively. Polygon proved to be 8.4 times faster than Ethereum itself, which reaches a speed of only 22.7 transactions per second.
What Causes EVM Blockchains to Lag Behind?
The significant gap in speed between EVM and non-EVM blockchains can be explained by several factors. Networks not tied to the Ethereum Virtual Machine have the ability to implement innovative consensus mechanisms and optimized transaction processing algorithms. This allows them to achieve higher throughput without being limited by the architecture and constraints of EVM.
Moreover, many non-EVM blockchains were initially designed with scalability and high transaction speed in mind. They take into account the shortcomings of Ethereum and strive to offer more efficient solutions.
However, it is important to remember that speed is just one of the factors in a blockchain’s success. EVM-compatible networks attract developers with a familiar development environment, broad smart contract compatibility, and a rich ecosystem of applications. Therefore, for an objective comparison, it is necessary to consider multiple parameters, including security, decentralization, and ease of use.